With hydropower generation falling to an alarming level of 200-250 Mw, and increased power supply to the state grid by captive generating plants (CGPs) not enough to tide over peak power deficit, the state government is exploring the possibility of power banking to meet the shortfall.

Hydropower generation has drastically fallen, due to plunging reservoir levels at Balimela, Indravati and Upper Kolab. As a result, despite the pumping of 550 Mw power by the CGPs into the state grid, the shortfall in peak hour hovers around 400 Mw.

"Hydropower generation has dipped 600-700 Mw, as water level in the southern reservoirs is only 20-25 per cent. We have asked CGPs to maximise power supply to the state grid, so that we are in a position to tide over the deficit”, said G Mathivathanan, secretary (energy).

"Presently, there are not many opportunities for power banking, as a lot of other states are also grappling with deficit. However, a week later, we think we would be in a position to identify states with surplus power and request them to offer power. This can be utilised in the state and, later, when we reach a surplus position, we can supply back an equivalent quantum. The time schedule and other modalities have to be worked out”, said the official.

Presently, the CGPs are offering 550 Mw of power to the state grid and this is set to go up to 600 Mw by Saturday. Sterlite Energy is providing 150 Mw additional power over and above the 250 Mw that it used to offer. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) is supplying 115 Mw.

"We have asked JSPL and JSL to step up power supply to the state grid. This apart, we hope to mobilise 30 Mw from SMC Power and 15 Mw from Maa Durga Power Ltd. Together, power procured from these will add 200 Mw to the state grid”, said the Gridco official.

The peak requirement of the state stood at 3,300 Mw, with the current deficit around 400 Mw.

The disruptions in supply from NTPC’s power stations had created a shortfall of 300-350 Mw. As against its share of 218 Mw from the Farakka power station, the state was getting 140 Mw.

Similarly, supply to the state grid from NTPC's Kaniha plant had dipped from 518 Mw to 308 Mw. The supply from TTPS had also fallen 50-60 Mw.

On Thursday, the chief minister had written to Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to allocate the state's legitimate share of 500 Mw from the Talcher Thermal Power Station-TTPS (Stage-II) of NTPC to help plug the deficit.

Orissa explores power banking to plug deficit

With hydropower generation falling to an alarming level of 200-250 Mw, and increased power supply to the state grid by captive generating plants (CGPs) not enough to tide over peak power deficit, the state government is exploring the possibility of power banking to meet the shortfall.

With hydropower generation falling to an alarming level of 200-250 Mw, and increased power supply to the state grid by captive generating plants (CGPs) not enough to tide over peak power deficit, the state government is exploring the possibility of power banking to meet the shortfall.

Hydropower generation has drastically fallen, due to plunging reservoir levels at Balimela, Indravati and Upper Kolab. As a result, despite the pumping of 550 Mw power by the CGPs into the state grid, the shortfall in peak hour hovers around 400 Mw.

"Hydropower generation has dipped 600-700 Mw, as water level in the southern reservoirs is only 20-25 per cent. We have asked CGPs to maximise power supply to the state grid, so that we are in a position to tide over the deficit”, said G Mathivathanan, secretary (energy).

"Presently, there are not many opportunities for power banking, as a lot of other states are also grappling with deficit. However, a week later, we think we would be in a position to identify states with surplus power and request them to offer power. This can be utilised in the state and, later, when we reach a surplus position, we can supply back an equivalent quantum. The time schedule and other modalities have to be worked out”, said the official.

Presently, the CGPs are offering 550 Mw of power to the state grid and this is set to go up to 600 Mw by Saturday. Sterlite Energy is providing 150 Mw additional power over and above the 250 Mw that it used to offer. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) is supplying 115 Mw.

"We have asked JSPL and JSL to step up power supply to the state grid. This apart, we hope to mobilise 30 Mw from SMC Power and 15 Mw from Maa Durga Power Ltd. Together, power procured from these will add 200 Mw to the state grid”, said the Gridco official.

The peak requirement of the state stood at 3,300 Mw, with the current deficit around 400 Mw.

The disruptions in supply from NTPC’s power stations had created a shortfall of 300-350 Mw. As against its share of 218 Mw from the Farakka power station, the state was getting 140 Mw.

Similarly, supply to the state grid from NTPC's Kaniha plant had dipped from 518 Mw to 308 Mw. The supply from TTPS had also fallen 50-60 Mw.

On Thursday, the chief minister had written to Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to allocate the state's legitimate share of 500 Mw from the Talcher Thermal Power Station-TTPS (Stage-II) of NTPC to help plug the deficit.